‘Tis the season to create your own holiday wreath!

We’re firmly in the holiday season—which means it’s time to dress up your home with holiday lights, garlands, and a picturesque wreath to complete your Christmas decor. Today, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Swansons Nursery, a beloved garden store celebrating their 100th anniversary, to share some wreath-making pro tips. We’ve long trusted Swansons to answer our gardening questions, and are fortunate to have them as a resource for Pacific Northwest plants and landscaping. 

Without further ado, here are their four tips for your DIY wreath-making endeavors!

Tip 1: Create a wreath base 

Swansons recommends using at least three different types of foliage as the base of your wreath—the variety will add interest and texture. What you use for your wreath base will also largely dictate how delicate or full your finished wreath is: delicate branches make for daintier, more ornate wreaths, while fuller branches create denser, thicker wreaths. Also, keep in mind that a wreath is a living thing! That means using foliage that’s native to your region or climate will last longer. 

For a fuller wreath, go for a base of sturdy evergreens. Here in Washington, we have a plethora of options. A few of our favorite Pacific Northwest evergreens:

  • Noble fir
  • Princess pine
  • Incense cedar
  • Spruce
  • Juniper

It’s also a good idea to select shades of green that complement each other. For example, warmer-toned evergreens may not always blend well with cooler-toned ones. 

Are you a first-time wreath-maker? If so, you might consider using a more flexible branch for your base—this will make for easier weaving, and you can always add evergreens or other materials later! If you go this route, Swansons recommends using these types of branches:

  • Curly willow (green or orange)
  • Grapevines
  • Birch 
  • Windfallen sticks and branches

Tip 2: Get creative with wreath decorations

Traditional wreaths are typically round and evergreen and adorned with pine cones and red berries, but there are so many ways to personalize your design.

Add texture and color with pussy willows, herbs like rosemary, sage, or bay leaves, and even poinsettias for indoor wreaths. For a modern or minimalist design, use single foliage types like eucalyptus, magnolia, or bay leaves, or create an asymmetrical balance with a crescent shape or even a square. 

Wreath decoration ideas:

  • Pussy willows
  • Herbs (rosemary, sage, bay leaves, etc.)
  • Poinsettias (for indoor wreaths)
  • Dried thistle
  • Dried grasses
  • Lichen-covered sticks
  • Fruits (fresh or dried)
  • Dried seed pods
  • Eucalyptus
  • Magnolia leaves
  • Bells
  • Ornaments
  • Feathers

Tip 3: Prep your wreath greens

If you’re using greenery in your wreath (particularly evergreens), it’s a good idea to prepare your foliage a day before you plan to construct—this will help keep things looking fresh throughout the holiday season. 

Start by pre-cutting your foliage and other materials to similar sizes. Then, give them a boost of hydration for about 24 hours before sitting down to actually construct your wreath. If it’s wet out, leave your foliage outside in the rain overnight. You can also put your wreath greens in a plastic bag, add either a damp towel or a few spritzes of water, and let them sit overnight to absorb the moisture. 

After your wreath is finished and hung up, it’s also a good idea to mist the greens every few days, especially if you notice the branches start to dry out or turn brown. (Typically, because we live in Seattle, the wet climate gives us a hand with this!)

Tip 4: There are no rules!

Remember, there are no strict rules in wreath-making. Think outside the box and combine materials you like. Have fun and enjoy the creative process. Embrace the festive season and make your wreath uniquely yours!

For more holiday advice from Swansons, be sure to check out our Christmas tree buying guide! And for more Christmas decor ideas, don’t miss our DIY holiday project archive.